Workstation Wiring

Workstation Conduit: Homerun and Cable Tray

Campus Construction Standards for Communications require that workstation wiring be contained in either conduit, cable tray, or a combination of conduit and cable tray for every homerun cable. Loose cable in ceilings or underfloor space is NOT permitted for individual workstation cabling under the campus communications and construction standards. Underfloor wiring in raised computer flooring environments requires a cable path such as a barrier wire tray, metal or rated channel, rated innerduct, or wire guide.

The following requirements exist for workstation conduit and outlet boxes:

1. All workstation outlets are supported by a deep 5S box.
2. All outlet boxes are installed with a two-gang plaster ring.
3. A single outlet 5S box may be connected to a cable tray or wiring closet by a one inch (1.00") conduit.
4. Two outlet 5S boxes may be connected to a cable tray or wiring closet by a one and one-quarter inch (1.25") from the tray or closet to the first box and a one inch (1.00") conduit from the first to a second box.
5. No more than two (2) 5S outlet boxes may be supported by a single one and one-quarter inch (1.25") conduit. Larger conduits for workstation outlet boxes are NOT allowed.
6. Workstation conduits that terminate at a cable tray must be physically secured to the edge of a cable tray and a bushing placed on the conduit.
7. Workstation conduits terminated at a wiring closet must be physically secured to the backboard within six inches (6.00") of the top or bottom of the backboard. A bushing must be placed on each conduit.
8. A pull-line must be placed in each workstation conduit.

Workstation and Wiremold

Wall-mounted split or dedicated wiremold may be used for communications wiring with the following requirements:

1. Wiremold must be of metal construction only.
2. Split wiremold must contain a rigid secure divider between power and communications channels. This divider may be removable.
3. It is desirable that wiremold cover sections be separate for both power and communications. Whether separate or common cover, the cover sections may be no longer than twelve inches (12.00") in length.
4. Wiremold may be connected to a wiring closet or cable tray with a minimum one inch (1.00") conduit per eight foot (8') section of cable tray or no more than two outlets receptacles within the eight foot section of cable tray.
5. Insert modules and faceplates for wiremold are defined in the campus construction and wiring standards. No proprietary communications jacks may be used within a wiremold communications outlet. (This means that the insert modules and adaptor plates for the wiremold outlet must provide a standard RJ-45 - Cat 5e jack opening.)

Workstation Outlets and Wiring

The campus communications wiring standard is based on the current EIA/TIA 568-A wiring standard in conjunction with Technical Service Bulletins TSB-40A and TSB-36 and uses the "A" wiring configuration. Each workstation location requires three (3) separate sheath Category 5e cables terminated at the workstation on three (3) 568-A Category 5e rated jacks. The workstation outlet plate must provide capacity for four (4) RJ-45 jacks using the USOC size specifications. No proprietary wall plate requiring proprietary jacks may be used.

The Construction Guidelines for Communications Services detail conduit and workstation wire capacity requirements. No more than two (2) workstation outlets may be supported by a single homerun to sub-terminal or a homerun to cable tray conduit.

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